Democratic Party's 'Han Dong-hoon Hearing Boycott' Move... People Power Party Says "Are You Afraid?"

Yu Min-hyung-bae "Considering Han Dong-hoon Hearing Refusal"
Transition Team "Unacceptable Partisan Approach"
Lee Jun-seok "Even a Boiled Cow's Head Would Laugh"

Minister of Justice nominee Han Dong-hoon is answering questions from reporters as he arrives at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where his nominee office was set up, on the morning of the 15th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the Democratic Party of Korea mentioned the possibility of boycotting the confirmation hearing for Han Dong-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, the camp of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol and the People Power Party have expressed opposition.

On the 17th, Bae Hyun-jin, spokesperson for President-elect Yoon, stated at the briefing room of the transition team in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, "Regarding the controversy over Han's confirmation hearing, the Democratic Party should first fulfill its responsibility to the people by conducting the hearing properly together with the People Power Party in the National Assembly."

She added, "Is it reasonable for the public to accept that the Democratic Party selectively chooses which hearings to attend or refuse based on party interests?" and continued, "However, the hearing is not an issue for President-elect Yoon or the transition team to discuss but a matter to be resolved in the National Assembly."

Earlier, the Democratic Party had revealed that it was considering refusing the confirmation hearing for Han, reasoning that Han might escalate the conflict by confronting the Democratic Party during the hearing.

Min Hyung-bae, head of the confirmation hearing task force for the Democratic Party, appeared on YTN Radio's "Lee Jae-yoon's News Face-off" on the 15th and said, "It seems inappropriate to recommend (Han) to the National Assembly," adding, "Therefore, we are internally reviewing whether we should refuse the confirmation hearing itself."

Min said, "He seems to be a nominee targeting the people. It is clear that they intend to complete the politicization of the prosecution and establish a prosecutorial state to maintain their vested interests," and criticized, "Han will deliberately provoke to escalate the conflict. They will present their future direction through public opinion warfare while waiting for us to strongly block them."

Justice Minister nominee Han Dong-hoon is arriving at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where his candidate office was set up, on the morning of the 15th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

As the Democratic Party raised the possibility of boycotting the confirmation hearing, the People Power Party criticized the move. On the 16th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, wrote on Facebook, "Boycotting the hearing? Even a boiled cow's head would laugh. I can feel the fear of the Democratic Party."

He continued, "They try to avoid facing the target of their collective lynching because their shameful past behavior will be exposed in broad daylight," adding, "They may have done as they pleased during the lynching, but they won't be able to do so when it's their turn to face scrutiny."

Heo Eun-ah, a People Power Party lawmaker, also posted on Facebook, "The Democratic Party seems genuinely afraid that Han's stature will grow. It's laughable that they are even considering boycotting the hearing," sarcastically adding, "They still don't realize that the Democratic Party has already raised Han's stature and continues to do so."

Heo said, "Didn't Choo Mi-ae, Cho Kuk, and Minister Park Beom-gye already experience the magical effect of the candidate's stature growing the more they are attacked with baseless claims?" and added, "I hope they stop holding back due to political fear and approach the hearing with precise and thorough policy verification. Please, I hope this Han Dong-hoon hearing does not produce a new conservative presidential candidate."

Jeon Yeo-ok, former Saenuri Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) lawmaker, wrote on her blog, "Min Hyung-bae is the head of the Democratic Party's confirmation hearing preparation task force, and they are considering 'refusing the confirmation hearing,'" adding, "In other words, it naturally makes one say, 'What nonsense is this?'"

She continued, "The reason for refusing the hearing is because of Han Dong-hoon. They say it is inappropriate for the National Assembly to recommend Han as a candidate," and claimed, "Honestly, it's because they are afraid of being 'utterly humiliated' by Han Dong-hoon."

Jeon said, "They have committed sins before Han Dong-hoon, so their hearts and voices tremble," and "they can't even shout 'Sit up straight!' The kind-hearted President-elect Yoon endures it, but Han won't stay silent. He will pinpoint every word and strike so hard that they won't recover."

She then pointed out, "A giant ruling party aiming for over 180 seats refuses the hearing? Even dogs, cows, and crayfish would laugh," and added, "Han Dong-hoon must really be scary."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.